Vintage Cottage Weekend: Wild Victorian Wreath

Hi Friends, today I'm sharing a wonderful wreath that's a bit of a different take on a natural look for Spring. This is the perfect time of year to look to nature and the outdoors for our decor inspiration. What we might see in a leisurely country walk; bird nests, vines, wildflowers, and moss all come together here with an antique wooden frame for a wild and beautiful Victorian look.

January Musings

Years ago I found the wonderful book of illustrations from Edith Holden entitled The Country Diary of an Edwardian Lady. And just last year our friend Jacqueline from Cabin and Cottage introduced me to the lesser known book, The Nature Notes of an Edwardian Lady which is a similar collection of watercolors and notes of the months and seasons. Both are captivating and insightful, and full of nature's beauty.

Nature's Treasures

We spent this last weekend on a trip to Eastern Missouri, Hawn State Park, and then visited the soon to be State Park of St. Genevieve, Missouri, which is one of the oldest settlements west of the Mississippi. It was a wonderful trip, very remote in the middle of 5000 acres of pristine woodland and river. Many of the leaves there are already starting to change. I was near giddy at seeing the golden leaves flutter to the ground along the river's edge.

In Harmony with Nature...

...or, what to do if you're easily bored while camping.

Just wanted to check in with you on our/my "camping" progress. We've had a couple of weekend trips; one to the river,(Southern Missouri trout fishing river) the other to a lake (NW Arkansas in the mountains). Both were good, relaxing, and I really enjoyed my time with Hubbs. We grilled steaks and pork chops and had smores (which I thought he'd complain about, but actually he was a trooper. And even though we forgot the long fork, we improvised with small kitchen forks, and it ended up being one of the more memorable moments of the trip)

(we didn't actually go to Lake of the Ozarks, but I love these vintage fold out postcards, 

so I thought I'd share that bit of vintage lake goodness)

Christmas Decor ADD...

I think most of us spent at least some time this last weekend decorating for Christmas. (Hope you had a great Thanksgiving!) Some of you hard working and industrious types have it completed so you can sit by the fire with your hot cocoa and survey the loveliness of the Season. Others of us are still in the midst of the chaos of boxes, tubs and indecision...

I'm having a hard time finding the line between "decorated" and "too much" here at the new house. The last thing I want is to clutter it all up with hodge podge themes and colors. Right now I need some neutral "natural" decorations, that are relaxing. I have red in the kitchen, but here in the living and dining areas I'm trying to keep it a little subdued.

I've just added some vintage ornaments 

and a little ribbon and greenery to my "everyday" decor items.

I'm still tweaking, adding and subtracting...

so I'll share more of the Living Room when I get the mantel "settled".

But here is a peek of the new garland I found last week. I loved the gold and black vintage font on the white background. A little silver tinsel wrapped around the individual cards gives it a festive touch.

I've realized there are a lot of my regular decor pieces that still haven't been unpacked. Pillows, cloches, urns...what boxes are you hiding in? I get started in one place, then I go back to another. I'll probably take a break from upstairs and see what kind of damage I can do in the basement. I think it's time to vacuum up the mess and call it a day.

It's cold and dreary today. We had a little snowy-frosty stuff early this morning. My boxes and Christmas stash are all in the garage, so I'm trying to rummage through boxes intermittently. Brrrrrr...  I think I must have taken 150 pics today, but my tripod is MIA from the move and the light is not cooperating for good photos. How about you...are you finished with the decorating fun, or just getting started? I'm ready for the cocoa, finished or not.

I'll be joining in with these parties:

The Scoop at Stone Gable

Amaze Me Monday at Dwellings

Show and Share at Coastal Charm

Inspire Me at A Stroll Thru Life

Tweak It Tuesday at Cozy Little House

Wow Us Wednesday at Savvy Southern Style

Share Your Cup at Mrs. Olson's

xoxo,

No, it's not a Christmas tree...yet

I won't deny it, I'm antsy for Christmas decorating, but I still want to honor "Thanksgiving". So I'm trying to do a little of both. I like to bring in my two smaller lighted Christmas trees and get them set up for a quick turnaround after Thanksgiving. I have a few "nature themed" ornaments that I used to decorate a tree downstairs, but they have migrated to the Dining Room this year and I've put together a little Autumn Nature tree. I'm going woodsy and natural this year. There will be some glitter thrown in, but I'm craving a more simple theme this year, with hopefully, less stress.

It's always bothered me that there is really only one month to decorate and celebrate Christmas. With all the work that it goes into preparing and decorating, I want to get rolling with it so it's not such a difficult task to accomplish. Some people leave up their Christmas decor until the middle of January, but for me come January 1, I want a clean slate and a fresh start. The greenery and poinsettias are still here, but everything else is put away, (hopefully)

I found these adorable white floofy "baby" snow owls at one of the shops in Ozark this week, and they are perfect for this tree.

These little glass owl ornaments were picked up at The White Rabbit in St. Louis last month. I had a feeling my owl obsession would carry over into Christmas.

Right now I have some faux bittersweet vine in here along with the burlap ribbon, but I think I can change it out for Holly and some red berried vine after Thanksgiving.

A favorite little deer...

and rabbit

Little birds in nests and some old clay flower pots, 

that I'm going to fill with moss and potpourri.

This tree sets in a pretty white urn,

but for this year's nature feel, 

I'm using an old fruit basket and a burlap coffee sack.

Do you have a "theme" for your Christmas decorating each year?

My favorite has always been "nature".

I also wanted to remind you that I host a link gathering 

for all of you that have Etsy Shops and Online Boutiques.

It's a place to come share some of your shop items 

each Monday Morning 

and then the shop is open all week.

Hope you'll come by and join in,

or just come to shop.

We'll be showcasing wonderful Christmas handmade

 and one-of-a-kind items

for your Christmas Shopping List!

So nice to have an extra hour today, and some sunshine.

I have some garden clean up to do so this will help.

joining these parties this week;

Make it Pretty Monday at The Dedicated House

Met Monday at Between Naps On the Porch

Nifty Thrifty Tuesday at Coastal Charm

Mod Mix Monday at Mod Vintage Life

Tweak it Tuesday at Cozy Little House

Cowgirl Up at Cedar Hill Ranch

Wow Us Wednesday at Savvy Southern Style

Blissful Whites at Timewashed

xoxo,

Harvest Under Glass

I had seen these gorgeous dried sunflower heads in photos from the Texas shows and in magazines, but hadn't seen them for sale. But on our way home from St. Louis we stopped at an antique mall and there they were.  These monstrous beauties intrigue me with their symmetrical rows of seeds and perfect neutral Fall color.

As we move into November and the leaves will soon be off the trees, my decor tends to go to the more neutrals of browns and creams. I transition into Christmas with evergreens mixed into my natural element florals and vignettes; I use less orange, but more browns.

A cloche filled with Fall Potpourri 

I love these little frames from the 40's and 50's.

This one has some Harvest graphics.

I really love taking photos in the Living Room now that things have been lightened and brightened up with the new painted furniture. Before, even though it was light in here, the dark furniture just "sucked up" all the wonderful light.

Hope you're having a fun day and enjoy your evening!

Marty at A Stroll Thru Life is having her Fall Cloche Party,

come by and check out the rest of the fun!

A Stroll Thru Life

My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia

Coastal Charm

Very Merry Vintage Style

Primp

Savvy Southern Style

My Romantic Home

DIY by Design

No Minimalist Here

xoxo,